Measuring 311-feet tall, 705-feet long, and weighing in at a hefty 45,500-tons, the Bagger 288 is the world’s largest land vehicle. This bucket-wheel excavator was built by German company Krupp for the energy and mining firm Rheinbraun. Continue reading for two videos, more pictures, and additional information.
Videos
The machine took five years to design and manufacture and another five years to assemble. The Bagger 288 was built for the job of removing overburden prior to coal mining in Tagebau Hambach (Hambach stripmine), Germany. It can excavate 240,000 tons of coal or 240,000 cubic metres of overburden daily – the equivalent of a soccer field dug to 30 meters (98 ft) deep. The coal produced in one day fills 2400 coal wagons. It takes five people to operate the machine.
